Transcriber's note: Text enclosed by underscores is in italics (_italics_).
* * * * *
[Illustration: Transverse Section of the Building, showing the Interior
completed.]
The
Crystal Palace:
Its
Architectural History
and
Constructive Marvels.
By
Peter Berlyn, and Charles Fowler, Junr.
London:
James Gilbert, Paternoster Row.
mdcccli.
----
PREPARING FOR PUBLICATION BY
JAMES GILBERT, 49 PATERNOSTER ROW,
(UNIFORM WITH THE PRESENT VOLUME),
The Curiosities and Wonders
contained within
The Crystal Palace.
BY
PETER BERLYN, ESQ.
Illustrated by Several Hundred Engravings.
----
[Illustration]
TO HIS ROYAL HIGHNESS PRINCE ALBERT,
The Following Pages,
DESCRIPTIVE OF
THE ARCHITECTURAL AND CONSTRUCTIVE MARVELS OF
THE STOREHOUSE OF THE WORLD'S WONDERS
OF ART, SCIENCE, AND MANUFACTURE,
ARE, BY PERMISSION, MOST HUMBLY DEDICATED,
AS A SLIGHT TRIBUTE
OF THE ADMIRATION AND GRATITUDE
WHICH, IN COMMON WITH THE WHOLE CIVILIZED WORLD,
ARE AMPLY SHARED IN BY
HIS ROYAL HIGHNESS'S
MOST DEVOTED, FAITHFUL, AND OBEDIENT SERVANT,
THE PUBLISHER.
----
Contents.
PAGE.
INTRODUCTORY REMARKS 1
COMMITTEE FOR ALL MATTERS RELATING TO THE BUILDING 2
LABOURS OF THE BUILDING COMMITTEE 3
THE COMPETITION DESIGNS 6
BUILDINGS USED FOR PREVIOUS EXHIBITIONS IN FRANCE, GERMANY, AND
ENGLAND 15
DESCRIPTION OF THE BUILDING COMMITTEE'S DESIGN 21
OPPOSITION TO THIS DESIGN 24
THE TENDERS 24
HISTORY OF MR. PAXTON'S DESIGN 27
GENERAL DESCRIPTION OF THE BUILDING 33
THE PAXTON'S GUTTERS 40
THE SASH-BARS 44
THE RIDGES 46
THE GLASS 46
THE BOX GUTTERS 47
THE ROOF GIRDERS 47
THE IRON DRILLING MACHINE 49
THE PUNCHING MACHINE 50
THE ADZING AND PLANING MACHINE 51
THE COLUMNS AND CONNECTING-PIECES 52
THE BASE-PIECES 53
THE CAST-IRON GIRDERS 54
THE GALLERIES 55
TESTING THE CAST-IRON GIRDERS 55
ROOF OF TRANSEPT 58
THE FACEWORK 59
THE DIAGONAL BRACING 60
THE STAIRCASES 60
THE FLOOR AND FOUNDATIONS 62
FIRST OPERATIONS ON THE GROUND 63
SETTING-OUT THE GROUND 64
FIXING THE BASE-PLATES 65
HENDERSON'S DERRICK CRANE 67
RAISING AND FIXING THE COLUMNS AND GIRDERS 68
HOISTING THE ROOF TRUSSES 69
PROVISION FOR EXPANSION OF GIRDERS 70
GLAZING THE ROOF 71
STAGE FOR REPAIRING THE GLASS, ETC. 73
HOISTING THE RIBS FOR TRANSEPT ROOF 73
GLAZING THE TRANSEPT ROOF 76
THE PAINTING 76
THE HAND-RAIL MACHINE 78
GENERAL VIEW OF THE WORKS 79
PAYING THE WORKMEN 80
GENERAL STATISTICS 82
THE PARTI-COLOURED PAINTING 83
THE WATER SUPPLY 87
THE STABILITY OF THE BUILDING 87
TESTING THE GALLERIES 88
GENERAL ADVANTAGES OF THE BUILDING 89
CONCLUSION 89
APPENDIX:--
LIST OF COMPETITORS FOR THE BUILDING i
LIST A.--COMPETITORS ENTITLED TO FAVOURABLE MENTION vi
LIST B.--COMPETITORS ENTITLED TO FURTHER HIGHER HONORARY
DISTINCTION viii
THE TWO COMPETITION DESIGNS SPECIALLY MENTIONED BY THE BUILDING
COMMITTEE ix
MEMORANDUM ON THE SITE xi
REPORT OF THE ROYAL COMMISSIONERS, PRESENTED TO HER MAJESTY ON THE
OPENING OF THE BUILDING xvii
List of Illustrations.
PAGE.
TRANSVERSE SECTION OF THE BUILDING, SHOWING THE
INTERIOR COMPLETED-- _frontispiece_.
PLAN OF THE BUILDING FOR THE FRENCH EXPOSITION IN 1849 16
VIEW OF THE PRINCIPAL ENTRANCE OF THE SAME 17
INTERIOR VIEW OF THE "PALACE" 18
INTERIOR VIEW OF THE CATTLE-SHED 19
VIEW OF KROLL'S WINTERGARTEN AT BERLIN _facing_ 19
PLAN OF KROLL'S WINTERGARTEN 20
VIEW OF THE BIRMINGHAM EXPOSITION BUILDING 20
GROUND-PLAN OF THE DESIGN OF THE BUILDING COMMITTEE _facing_ 22
EXTERIOR VIEW OF THE SAME _facing_ 24
COMMON MODE OF GLAZING ROOFS 28
METHOD BY RIDGE AND FURROW 29
CUTTERS OF MR. PAXTON'S SASH-BAR MACHINE 30
THE VICTORIA REGIA HOUSE, CHATSWORTH 32
INTERIOR OF THE SAME 33
GROUND-PLAN OF THE BUILDING FOR THE EXHIBITION 34
VIEW OF ONE 24-FEET SQUARE BAY OF ROOF PARTLY COMPLETED 36
PORTION OF THE LOWER STOREY OF THE PRINCIPAL ELEVATIONS 37
VIEW OF THE INTERIOR OF THE TRANSEPT _facing_ 38
VIEW OF GLASS ROOF FROM THE LEAD FLAT _facing_ 39
GENERAL VIEW OF THE BUILDING FROM THE SOUTH-WEST _facing_ 40
THE EXTERNAL RAILING 40
SECTION OF THE PAXTON'S GUTTER, WITH THE STRONG SASH-BAR 41
THE CIRCULAR PLANING MACHINE 41
PORTION OF THE SAME SHOWING DETAIL 41
SECTIONS OF THE PAXTON'S GUTTER, SHOWING DIFFERENT STAGES IN THE
MACHINE 42
THE GUTTER-CUTTING MACHINE 42
MACHINE FOR FINISHING ENDS OF GUTTERS AND RIDGES 43
MACHINE FOR CUTTING OUT SASH-BARS 44
THE SASH-BAR DRILLING MACHINE 45
PORTION OF THE SAME, ENLARGED 46
SECTION OF THE RIDGES, ETC 46
DIAGRAM OF 48-FEET GIRDER 48
DIAGRAM OF 72-FEET GIRDER 48
THE IRON DRILLING MACHINE 50
THE PUNCHING MACHINE AND SHEARS 50
THE ADZING-CUTTERS 51
THE ADZING AND PLANING MACHINE 52
SECTION OF A COLUMN 52
A BASE-PIECE 54
VIEW OF THE INTERIOR FROM THE LEVEL OF GALLERIES _facing_ 55
FRAME AND HYDRAULIC PRESS FOR TESTING THE GIRDERS 56
INTERIOR VIEW OF THE CENTRAL AVENUE TOWARDS THE WEST _facing_ 58
LOUVRE FRAME 60
VIEW OF STAIRCASE 61
FIXING CAST-IRON DRAIN-PIPE 62
VIEW OF CRANE AND PROVING-PRESS 66
HENDERSON'S DERRICK CRANE 67
PORTIONS OF THE SAME 67
FIXING THE GIRDERS 68
GENERAL VIEW OF THE WORKS IN PROGRESS _facing_ 69
HOISTING THE 72-FEET TRUSSES 70
GLAZING-WAGGON FOR FLAT ROOF 72
A PAIR OF RIBS PREPARED FOR RAISING 74
HOISTING THE RIBS FOR THE TRANSEPT ROOF _facing_ 75
STAGE FOR GLAZING TRANSEPT ROOF 76
THE SASH-BAR PAINTING MACHINE 77
PORTION OF THE SAME IN DETAIL 77
THE HAND-RAIL CUTTING MACHINE 78
PORTION OF THE SAME 78
THE BRASS TICKETS FOR WORKMEN 80
THE INTERIOR OF THE PAY-OFFICE 81
THE MEN TAKING THEIR WAGES 81
THE WORKMEN WAITING TO BE PAID 82
VIEW OF THE BUILDING FROM THE NORTH BANK OF THE SERPENTINE _facing_ 86
TESTING AN EXPERIMENTAL BAY OF THE GALLERY FLOOR _facing_ 88
VIEW OF THE BOILER-HOUSE, ETC. _facing_ 88
VIEW OF SOUTH FRONT OF THE BUILDING 92
APPENDIX:--
EXTERIOR VIEW OF MONS. HOREAU'S DESIGN FOR THE BUILDING _facing_ ix
INTERIOR OF THE SAME _facing_ ix
VIEW OF EXTERIOR FROM ONE END OF MESSRS. TURNERS' DESIGN
FOR THE BUILDING _facing_ x
TRANSVERSE SECTION AND VIEW OF THE INTERIOR OF THE SAME _facing_ x
INTRODUCTORY REMARKS.
So much has already been said and written, both wisely and well, upon the
marvellous edifice which has just been reared with such magical rapidity to
enshrine the results of the skill and industry of all nations, that it
would appear an almost hopeless task to present the subject in any new
point of view to the reader.
If, therefore, the authors cannot lay claim to novelty or originality in
the execution of the pleasurable work which they have undertaken, they are
not without hopes that, from their having been connected with this gigantic
undertaking during the greater part of its progress, they will be enabled
to trace in a more detailed and consecutive manner than has yet been
attempted the history of the design and execution of the building up to the
period of its completion.
A great deal has been lately said upon the want of distinctive character in
almost all the buildings of the present day; and it is certainly a striking
fact that in scarcely any of our important modern structures does the
exterior appearance in any way lead the spectator to form an idea of the
purposes or arrangement of the interior, the former being apparently
governed by fancy, or the fashion for some particular style, while the
latter only, is accommodated to the peculiar requirements of the case. Thus
we have porticos which do not shelter from the weather, or in which no one
is allowed to walk; Venetian palaces appear piled upon a substructure of
plate-glass; baronial castles prove to be model prisons; and
richly-decorated mansions, from the time of "Good Queen Bess," or fanciful
Italian villas, are made to serve for the accommodation of paupers.
The ancients appear to have been more careful in this respect, so that the
form and external arrangement afforded in most cases a ready key to the
purposes of their structures. Their temples, their fora, theatres and
amphitheatres, baths, and other public edifices, seem each to have been
stamped with their own characteristic features, at the same time without in
any way producing a monotonous uniformity among the different examples of
the same class of building.
Now, if this criterion of excellence be applied to the remarkable building
recently erected in Hyde Park, it will be found that the constructive
arrangement of the interior is plainly expressed without, and it must be
conceded that it possesses at least those elements of beauty arising from
consistency and simplicity which, in combination with its vast size, give
it also that of grandeur. That it is faultless it would be needless to
assert, or to imagine that, from its example, a new style of architecture
will originate; but that it is admirably suited to its purpose, that it is
a remarkable specimen of the constructive skill of this country, and that
it will certainly form one of the most interesting objects of the Great
Exhibition by which it has been called into being, if not the most
interesting of all, must, we think, be admitted by all candid observers.
Although the building in its present form was designed, as well as carried
out, in a singularly short space of time, this could not have been
accomplished but for the great amount of thought and labour which had been
previously bestowed upon the subject. In order, therefore, to trace the
whole of the progress of the design, it will be necessary briefly to advert
to the early labours bestowed upon the project.
On the 5th of January, 1850, the Royal Commission for carrying out this
great scheme was gazetted; its first and second meetings, which were
respectively held on the 11th and 18th of the same month, were entirely
devoted to preliminary arrangements, and determining the mode of conducting
its proceedings.
Among the most urgent matters calling for the attention of the
Commissioners, the subject of the building early presented itself, as it
was of the utmost importance that the longest possible time should be
allowed for its erection; and, accordingly, at the third meeting, held on
the 24th of January, the following noblemen and gentlemen were appointed to
act as a
Committee for all Matters relating to the Building.
His Grace the Duke of BUCCLEUCH, K.G., F.R.S.
The Right Hon. the Earl of ELLESMERE, F.S.A.
CHARLES BARRY, Esq., R.A., F.R.S.
WILLIAM CUBITT, Esq., F.R.S., Pr. of J.C.E.
ROBERT STEPHENSON, Esq., M.P., F.R.S.
C. R. COCKERELL, Esq., R.A.
I. K. BRUNEL, Esq., F.R.S.
THOMAS L. DONALDSON, Esq., M.I.B.A.
From which list it will be seen that some of the very highest professional
talent in the country was enlisted on behalf of the undertaking.
Labours of the Building Committee.
The first point to be ascertained by this Committee was where to find an
eligible site; for although they were not able at that early stage of their
labours to determine the exact amount of space that would be required, they
appear to have been of opinion that, from the general data before them,
about sixteen acres would be necessary--an amount which has been
subsequently considerably exceeded, but which was already an enormous area
to be covered by one building; and in dealing with it the Committee must
have felt that a very heavy amount of responsibility rested upon them, as
appears, indeed, from their recommendation to the Royal Commission given
below.
After about a month of attentive deliberation, the Committee made a report
upon this part of their labours.
With regard to the site, it had appeared to the Committee that--firstly,
the north-eastern portion of Hyde Park; secondly, the long space between
her Majesty's private road and the Kensington road, in the southern part of
Hyde Park; and thirdly, the north-western portion of Regent's Park, were
the only available spaces about the metropolis which would afford the
necessary accommodation; and it was believed that the order in which they
were named represented also their relative eligibility. As regarded the
first, the Committee had been informed by the Chief Commissioner of her
Majesty's Woods and Forests that considerable objections would arise to its
occupation for such a purpose, and that no such objections would be raised
to the use of the second; and the Committee, therefore, recommended the
adoption of this site, which, amongst other advantages, is remarkable for
the facility of access afforded by the existing roads.
As regarded the extent of the building, the Committee were not yet in
possession of sufficient data to enable them to determine this accurately,
but, from such information as they had before them, they thought that it
might be assumed, for the present, that about sixteen acres of covered
space would be required.
And finally, as regarded the mode of proceeding to determine the general
interior arrangements or ground-plan of the building, a subject to which
they had given much consideration, they resolved, "That, in their opinion,
it was desirable to seek, by public competition, for suggestions as to the
general arrangements of the ground-plan of the building."
It was deemed by the Committee that the peculiar object for which the
building was required, namely, the encouragement of the widest and most
liberal competition in all the branches of arts and manufactures--the
circumstance of the cost of the erection being defrayed by the public--the
peculiar character of the building, for the designing of which were
especially required judgment and contrivance in the detail of arrangement,
and experience in the management of large crowds, and for the construction
of which the mechanical skill and knowledge of the application and of the
economical use of materials now so generally possessed by builders and
practical men were necessary--all seemed, in the opinion of the Committee,
to be reasons for recommending that the designs for the general
arrangements should, as far as practicable, be the result of public
competition, and that the actual construction should be so to the fullest
extent. The Committee were, moreover, of opinion that the general design or
arrangement of such a building was one of those subjects, perhaps few in
number, on which many good ideas may be elicited by a general contribution
of plans; and that a mode might be adopted of obtaining such plans, and
collecting useful suggestions from them, which should not eventually lead
to any loss of time, or be attended with those delays which too frequently
render ordinary competition inconvenient.
Great objections were made in some quarters to the proposed site in Hyde
Park; but as they were not raised on really public grounds, they were
gradually overcome by the interest which the public at large manifested in
the success of the undertaking.
In consequence of the latter recommendation in the Report which was adopted
by the Royal Commissioners, the following document was published by them on
March 13th, 1850, copies of which appear to have found their way into
almost every corner of Europe:--
"The Committee appointed by the Royal Commission to advise on 'all matters
relating to the building,' having received the sanction of the Commission,
are desirous of obtaining from all parties who are disposed to assist them
suggestions for the general arrangement of the buildings and premises
required for this Exhibition. Upon the general form of the building in
plan, the distribution of its parts, the mode of access, and the internal
arrangements and contrivances, will depend the convenience and general
fitness of such a building; and it is upon these points that the Committee
seek information and suggestions, and wish to encourage the most extended
competition in the preparation of plans. The Committee do not propose to
offer any pecuniary reward for such plans--they rely upon the desire which
men of all countries will feel to forward the objects of the proposed
Exhibition. The Committee think it probable that, when the plans are
received, they may not be limited to the selection of any one plan, but may
derive useful ideas from many; and that the best plan may be determined
upon by the help of this general assistance. As the credit of any such plan
will be due solely to the contributors, the Committee propose to make a
report, in which they will acknowledge by name those whose plans had been
wholly or partially adopted, or who had afforded the most useful
suggestions; and the Committee hope to be able to offer such other honorary
distinction to the successful contributors as the circumstances may appear
to warrant. In order to guide the contributors in the preparation of such
plans and designs, and to facilitate the examination and the comparison of
them when received, the Committee have enumerated concisely the principal
'desiderata' for such a building, and have laid down certain rules and
conditions to which they earnestly request the contributors to conform, as
the Committee will be under the necessity of abiding strictly by the
regulation of not acknowledging any plans which may be sent in a form
inconsistent with these rules. Copies of the engraved plan of the ground
referred to may be had on application to the secretaries of the Commission,
at the New Palace at Westminster."
An engraved plan of the site which had been fixed upon, together with the
subjoined regulations, which all competitors would be expected to observe,
were subsequently issued to all applicants:--
"1. The communications from contributors must consist of a single sheet of
paper, not larger than the accompanying engraving, with a simple
ground-plan upon a scale of 1·1000 of the full size, with such elevations
and sections only of the building, and on the same sheet, as may be
necessary to elucidate the system proposed--such elevations and sections
not being intended to convey more than a general idea of the building, and
not entering into details of construction or of architectural
decoration--to be accompanied by a short, clear-written explanation of the
system recommended, on a separate sheet. Any contributor wishing to send
two designs must send separate and distinct communications, each conforming
to the above conditions. No communications made inconsistent with these
conditions, or any plan prepared upon a different scale from that
prescribed, can be received. The plans, &c., must be sent on or before the
8th of April next, addressed to the Secretaries of the Exhibition, New
Palace at Westminster, London. It is suggested that the most convenient
mode of preparing the plan, elevation, and section, would be to draw them
upon one of the engraved copies of the plan of the ground which accompany
these instructions.--2. The building is to be erected on the space marked A
B C D, and must not extend beyond the boundaries of the shaded portion. The
groups of trees shown on the plan must be preserved. The principal public
approaches are by the roads E F and G H. The road K L will be available
only for foot-passengers. There will be no objection to the formation of
cross-roads between the two last, G H and K L, if the design of the
building requires it.--3. The roofed portion of the building is to cover a
space of 700,000 square feet, or about 65,000 square metres; and the whole
building must not occupy, including open spaces, an area of more than
900,000 square feet, or about 84,000 square metres. The building generally
will be of one storey only.--4. No space will be required for cattle, or
for shrubs or flowers.--5. It may be assumed, so far as it affects the
ground-plan, that the light will be obtained entirely from the roof, and
the building will be constructed of fire-proof materials.
"The general requirements are--simplicity of arrangement; economy of space;
capability of extending or curtailing the building without destroying its
symmetry as a whole, or interfering with the general arrangement, it being
impossible to determine the exact extent of roof required until a late
period of construction. Adaptation for the erection of separate portions of
the building at different periods. Conveniences of ingress and egress, with
facilities of access to all parts of the Exhibition, either from the
exterior or interior. Means of classification of the various objects of
different departments. Wall-space for the display of articles requiring it.
Means of affording private access and accommodation for exhibitors, with
counting-houses, if required. Committee-rooms, council-rooms, public
refreshment-rooms, and all other public and private accommodation. (This
portion of the building may be in two or more storeys if required.)
Internal arrangements, by which, under proper regulations, large crowds of
visitors may circulate freely, and have convenient access to all parts of
the Exhibition, and uninterrupted means of examining the various objects
exhibited."
The Competition Designs.
Though the time allowed for the preparation of drawings was but short,
being only about one month, no less than 233 designs were sent in, many of
them of an elaborate architectural character. Of these, thirty-eight, or
one-sixth of the whole, were received from the different foreign countries
of Europe (France, twenty-seven; Belgium, two; Holland, three; Hanover,
one; Naples, one; Switzerland, two; Rhine Prussia, one; Hamburgh, one);
138, or more than half the entire number, from London and its vicinity,
where the interest excited was naturally more immediate; fifty-one from the
provincial towns of England; six from Scotland, and three from Ireland.
Seven were sent anonymously. The small number contributed by the sister
kingdoms seems rather remarkable.
The greater part of these designs were, of course, contributed by members
of the architectural and engineering professions, but some were the
productions of amateurs, and one among them purported to be the suggestion
of a lady. Here, then, was matter enough not only to assist, but even, from
its great variety, to perplex the Committee, since at once every possible
variety of style in decoration, material in construction, and system in
arrangement, were strenuously recommended by the authors of the respective
designs as the great ultimatum sought for.
To Mr. Digby Wyatt, whose services were to a great extent withdrawn from
the Executive Committee, in order that his professional knowledge of the
subject might be placed at the disposal of the Building Committee, was
intrusted the arduous task of examining and classifying these incongruous
materials, and of eliminating from them such general principles of
arrangement as seemed most worthy of the attentive consideration of the
Committee. The result of this gentleman's minute examination was embodied
in a Report, upon the basis of the recommendations contained in which the
subsequent utilitarian portions of the design of the Building Committee
would appear to have been founded.
After holding about fifteen protracted sittings, the Committee presented
the following Report to the Royal Commission on the 9th of May:--
"May it please your Royal Highness,
"_My Lords and Gentlemen_,
"We have the honour to report that we have examined the numerous plans so
liberally contributed by native and foreign architects in accordance with
the public invitation.
"Exhausting in their numerous projects and suggestions almost every
conceivable variety of building, the authors of those designs have
materially assisted us in arriving at the conclusions which we have now the
honour to report.
"We have been aided in our analysis of this subject by a great amount of
thought and elaboration thus brought to bear upon it from various points of
view.
"We have, however, arrived at the unanimous conclusion, that able and
admirable as many of these designs appeared to be, there was yet no single
one so accordant with the peculiar objects in view, either in the principle
or detail of its arrangements, as to warrant us in recommending it for
adoption.
"In some of the least successful of the designs submitted, we find
indicated errors and difficulties to be avoided, whilst in the abler and
more practicable of them, there are valuable conceptions and suggestions
which have greatly assisted us in framing the plan we have now the honour
to lay before you. In preparing this design we have been governed mainly by
three considerations:--
"1. The provisional nature of the building.
"2. The advisability of constructing it as far as possible in such a form
as to be available, with the least sacrifice of labour and material, for
other purposes, as soon as its original one shall have been fulfilled, thus
insuring a minimum ultimate cost.
"3. Extreme simplicity, demanded by the short time in which the work must
be completed.
"For the arrangements of the plan we rely for effect on honesty of
construction, vastness of dimension, and fitness of each part to its end.
"The principal points of excellence we have endeavoured to attain are--
"1. Economy of construction.
"2. Facilities for the reception, classification, and display of goods.
"3. Facilities for the circulation of visitors.
"4. Arrangement for grand points of view.
"5. Centralisation of supervision.
"6. Some striking feature to exemplify the present state of the science of
construction in this country.
"The first of these, ECONOMY, is attained by doing away with any internal
walls (all divisions being made by the necessary stalls), by reducing the
whole construction, with the exception of the dome, to cast iron columns,
supporting the lightest form of iron roof in long unbroken lines, and by
the whole of the work being done in the simplest manner, and adapted in all
respects to serve hereafter for other purposes.
"The second, facilities for the RECEPTION, CLASSIFICATION, and DISPLAY of
goods. The main central entrance for the reception of objects for
exhibition will probably be that most approachable from the public road.
All cases accompanying goods will be examined, registered, catalogued, &c.,
in the offices of the Executive; the packing-cases will then be put upon a
truck running on a line of rails laid down temporarily, and conveyed to the
centre turn-table, from which they may be carried by a line of rails at
right angles to the first, to the end of the transverse gallery, in which
they may be destined to be placed.
"The most important condition to insure successful _classification_ is,
that those to whom the duty of arrangement may be confided should be
hampered by no fixed limits of space, such as would have been the case had
the building been divided into a number of halls, sections, or chambers.
The plan submitted fulfils this condition perfectly; as objects can be
arranged just as they are received, and moved, if necessary, from gallery
to gallery with great facility.
"The successful display of the goods would be best insured by leaving,
under certain general restrictions, the fitting up of each stall to the
Exhibitor or his Agent, floor-space only being allotted to each; and
stands, frames, brackets, shelves, &c., being put up by a contractor's
carpenter, at a fixed tariff.
"The best light is provided, and the most economical wall-space is proposed
to be furnished by connecting pillar to pillar transversely, on the extreme
north and south sides of the building, by rods, from which draperies, &c.,
can be suspended.
"The third, FACILITIES FOR THE CIRCULATION OF VISITORS, is thus attained.
The visitor, on arrival at the central hall, proceeds at choice to any one
of the four sections. He will, most probably, desire either to follow the
whole course of the section selected, or will wish to go at once to some
particular class or object. He will be enabled to do either the one or the
other, without interfering with the general current, by means of gates or
other arrangements, which shall insure the current of visitors passing in
one direction. If he desire to proceed rapidly from one end of the building
to the other, and finds the great central gangway at all blocked up, he
will, no doubt, be able to get on by either the north or south corridors,
fifteen feet wide. Numerous doors of egress in these latter afford ready
means of exit for a large number of persons. Seats are provided in the
middle of the great central gangway for those who may desire to rest.
"The fourth, ARRANGEMENT FOR GRAND POINTS OF VIEW. The view from or to the
centre of the building will, from its extent, be necessarily imposing. The
seats and main avenues are arranged so that, on the occasion of the
distribution of the prizes, an immense number of persons may be
accommodated. Most interesting views might be obtained from galleries
constructed at either end of the building and around the dome, for the
admission of the public to which some small charge might be made.
"The fifth, CENTRALISATION OF SUPERVISION. All the business of the
Exhibition will be carried on in one spot, and be readily under control.
The Royal Commission, the principal Committees, Clerks, Accountants,
Police, &c., would be together, and in so large an establishment it would
be absolutely necessary, or much time would be wasted in walking from one
point to another. Passages running behind the money-takers' boxes, with
glazed doors into them, would enable each accountant to detect anything
improper that might be going on, and to exchange and balance checks, money,
&c., at any moment. Telegraphic communication with each of the four
pay-places will permit orders to be given, cash accounts, &c., to be issued
and returned, from and to the head-accountant's office, as often as may be
necessary.
"Four Committee-rooms, one for a Jury in each section, have been provided
at the extreme east and west ends. The duties of such Committees being
deliberative, and not executive, it is not necessary that they should be
accommodated in the Central Establishment, where they would be more liable
to be disturbed than at the extremity of the building.
"A policeman stationed in each gallery would, from his elevated position,
be enabled to observe much which might escape detection if he mingled only
with the crowd.
"The sixth, SOME STRIKING FEATURE TO EXEMPLIFY THE PRESENT STATE OF THE
SCIENCE OF CONSTRUCTION IN THIS COUNTRY. In order that the building, in
which England invites the whole world to display their richest productions,
may afford, at least in one point, a grandeur not incommensurate with the
occasion, we propose, by a dome of light sheet iron 200 feet in diameter,
to produce an effect at once striking and admirable. From calculations
which have been made of the cost of so grand a Hall, we have reason to
expect that it may be executed for a sum not greatly exceeding the cost of
the simplest form of roof likely to be adopted to cover the same area.
"It is to be borne in mind that a considerable amount of any such
difference may be recovered, should this portion of the building be
converted hereafter to other purposes, which is more than probable. This
vast dome it is proposed to light mainly from one circle of light in its
centre, and thus the sculpture will be pleasingly and suitably lit.
"Six out of the eight openings in the cylinder of the dome would be well
adapted for the exhibition of stained glass windows of great extent, while
the two remaining arches will open to the main central gallery. The lower
part of some of the voids will admit the eye to turf and shrubs, and
produce a great freshness of effect.
"The immense continuity of the Central Avenue will be broken and relieved
by a variation in the roof opposite the openings to the second and third
sets of refreshment-rooms, and windows for the reception of Stained Glass
may be placed at the ends of each transverse gallery, thus terminating the
vista for each.
"It now only remains to explain the course of action we would recommend for
adoption as soon as the principles of the plan, &c., shall be positively
decided.
"We consider this to be an occasion upon which the greatest amount of
intellectual and commercial ingenuity and ability should be called out; and
that a generous rivalry among those best fitted to execute the principal
portions of this vast structure may lead to results which no amount of
detailed study that we could possibly give to this matter would supply.
"We would therefore recommend that every advantage should be taken of the
accumulated and experimental knowledge and resources of intelligent and
enterprising contractors, and that every opportunity should be afforded to
them of DISTINGUISHING THEMSELVES. We would therefore recommend as the best
means of enlisting their services the following course of action:
"Adopting the approved design as a basis, we would proceed immediately to
prepare such working-drawings and specifications as may be necessary, and
to issue invitations for tenders to execute Works in accordance with them,
requesting from competitors, in addition, such suggestions and
modifications, accompanied with estimates of cost, as might possibly become
the means of effecting a considerable reduction upon the general expense.
The following Report of the Committee on the competition plans submitted,
and which was so unfavourably received by the public, and more particularly
by the profession, was presented to the Royal Commission on the 16th of
May:--
"May it please your Royal Highness,
"_My Lords and Gentlemen_,
"Your Committee beg leave to report, that the invitation issued by the
Commissioners, requesting information and suggestions for the general
arrangement of the Building and premises required for the Exhibition of
1851, has been responded to in the most ample and satisfactory manner, both
as respects the variety of useful ideas presented to their consideration,
and the liberality with which many experienced and skilful men of foreign
countries, no less than of our own, have contributed their valuable time to
this great undertaking, thereby evincing their entire sympathy both with
the great cause of Arts and Industry in which her Majesty's Commissioners
have embarked, and with the arduous labours of the Directors of the
undertaking.
"The Designs and Specifications transmitted to the Committee amount to the
surprising number of 233, offering an aggregate of professional sacrifice
of very considerable importance; for, not confining themselves to
suggestions only, which were invited by the Programme, a large proportion
of them are remarkable for elaboration of thought and elegance of
execution.
"Penetrated with admiration and respect for these gratuitous and valuable
contributions, unexampled, they believe, in the history of competition,
your Committee have devoted the most careful attention to the collection of
these projects, and hasten to offer those acknowledgments which are due to
their merits, and to the generous motives which have led to their
execution; and they trust that the public may shortly be witnesses of the
effect of this very noble emulation of the skill of all countries, by the
public exhibition of these designs, offering the opportunity, in the true
spirit of the whole undertaking, of mutual improvement, respect, and
friendship amongst the cultivators of the liberal arts in the several
countries of Europe.
"It is remarkable that, while many of these contributions may be attributed
to the laudable motive of professional reputation and advancement on the
part of practitioners not yet sufficiently known to the public, a great
number are from Gentlemen whose position in the confidence of their
respective Governments or in the Republic of Arts and Letters is of the
highest eminence, and who can have been actuated by no such personal
motives. Already entitled to respect and admiration, they could have little
to gain, while they have something to lose, in the competition for glory.
The kind and frank communication, therefore, of their thoughts and
experience towards this great work is to be the more highly commended.
Every possible mode of accomplishing the object in view has been displayed
by the respective contributors as regards economy of structure and
distribution, and these qualities are united with various degrees of
architectural symmetry and features in many designs. Our illustrious
continental neighbours have especially distinguished themselves by
compositions of the utmost taste and learning, worthy of enduring
execution--examples of what might be done in the architectural illustration
of the subject, when viewed in its highest aspect, and, at all events,
exhibiting features of grandeur, arrangement, and grace which your
Committee have not failed to appreciate.
"Amongst these several classes of design, the practical character of our
own countrymen, as might have been expected, has been remarkably
illustrated in some very striking and simple methods suited to the
temporary purposes of the Building, due attention having been paid to the
pecuniary means allotted to this part of the undertaking. The principle of
suspension has been applied in a single tent of iron sheeting, covering an
area averaging 2,200 feet by 400 feet by a lengthened ridge, or in separate
tents on isolated supports. Others display the solution of this problem by
the chapter-house principle, and a few by the umbrella or circular
locomotive-engine-house system of railway-stations, either with a central
column or groups of columns sustaining domes or roofs to the extent of four
hundred feet diameter.
"Grandeur and simplicity of distribution are carried out with great
architectural effect in other compositions, and the general arrangement by
columnar supports has been also variously and elegantly developed. The
system of iron roofing, with all the architectural powers of which that
material is susceptible, has been adopted by some with signal enterprise,
ingenuity, and power.
"In another class of design the authors have viewed with enthusiasm the
great occasion and object of the proposed Exhibition, and have waived all
considerations of expense. They have indulged their imaginations, and
employed the resources of their genius and learning, in the composition of
arrangements which present the utmost grandeur and beauty of architecture,
suited to a permanent Palace of Science and Art. These, as addressed to the
architectural Student, are of the highest value, reminding him of all the
conditions of his art--the Egyptian hypostyle, the Roman thermæ, or of the
Arabian or Saracenic inventions. And though their expense has placed them
beyond reach, they cannot fail to inspire and elevate the treatment of the
reality. They at all events confer great obligations on the lovers of the
Fine Arts, for the authors have evidently felt that, if one of the results
to be expected from the proposed Exhibition may be to prove that the
simplest object of ingenuity and skill should not be devoid of some of the
attractions of taste, the Building itself ought to be an illustration of
that important principle.
"The Committee, however, have been unable to select any one design as
combining all the requisites which various considerations render essential.
But the judgment and taste evinced by a large number of the contributors
have enabled the Committee to arrive more promptly at their conclusions,
and they have freely availed themselves of most valuable suggestions in
directing the preparation of a fresh design for the proposed building.
"They have consequently been most earnest in the desire to fulfil the just
expectations of the various competitors, and feel assured that your Royal
Highness and the Commission will be of opinion that the most unreserved and
handsome acknowledgments are due to those able men of science and art who
have in so disinterested a manner submitted such admirable projects for the
consideration and assistance of the Committee. They beg, therefore, to
submit, as their opinion, that the following gentlemen are entitled to
honourable and favourable mention, on account of architectural merit,
ingenious construction or disposition, or for graceful arrangement of plan.
"And they cannot conclude without calling attention to the designs,
accompanied by models, of M. Hector Horeau, Architect of Paris, and of
Messrs. Turner, of Dublin, as evincing most daring and ingenious
disposition and construction.[1]
Some of the strongest objections to this Report are very fairly urged in a
letter which appeared in the _Builder_ of the 15th of June, a part of which
is subjoined:--
"Part II. of the Report contains what I suppose is to be taken as the best
exposition of the merits of contributors that the Committee can give, which
commences by stating, in a tone of commendation, that, 'not confining
themselves to SUGGESTIONS ONLY, which were invited by the PROGRAMME, a
large proportion of them are remarkable for elaboration of thought and
elegance of execution.' This, I would contend, is clearly a breach of the
specified conditions, viz., that SUGGESTIONS ONLY were to be given--that
the plan or drawing sent in was to be A MERE OUTLINE SKETCH, upon a SINGLE
SHEET; and the Committee even recommended that it would be most convenient
merely to trace it upon the common paper on which the 'plan of site' was
supplied to the public, a space being left upon the sheet for SKETCHING any
sections or elevations that might be necessary to illustrate the design;
and that a written description, limited also to 'a single sheet,' was all
the exposition of their ideas that authors would be allowed to give. The
Report goes on to state, that 'our illustrious continental neighbours have
especially distinguished themselves [in designing a temporary building for
an exhibition] by compositions of the utmost taste and learning, worthy of
enduring execution--examples of what might be done in the ARCHITECTURAL
illustration of the subject [the conditions strictly enjoined contributors
not to enter into architectural detail] when viewed in its highest aspect,
and, at all events, exhibiting features of grandeur, arrangement, and grace
which your Committee have not failed to appreciate.' It then places in
contradistinction to these no doubt admirable but out-of-place productions
of architectural genius, the 'practical character of the designs of our own
countrymen,' which it states, 'as might have been expected, has been
remarkably illustrated in some very striking and simple methods, suited to
the temporary purposes of the building, due attention having been paid by
them to the pecuniary means allotted to this part of the undertaking.' Yet,
notwithstanding this comparison, clearly and indisputably in favour of our
own countrymen, as regards the object sought and the conditions stipulated
by the Committee, we find by the selected list of those authors who are to
receive 'the highest honorary distinction' the Commissioners can award,
that the Committee can only discover, out of 195 English and 38 foreign
contributors, THREE Englishmen entitled to reward, the remaining FIFTEEN
out of the eighteen selected being foreigners; or, as regards the whole
numbers, in proportion of 1 to 65 of 'our own countrymen,' the authors of
the 'striking and simple,' so admirably 'suited to the temporary purpose of
the building,' and 1 to about 2½ of foreigners, who, in designing for a
temporary building, to be simple, cheap, and readily constructed, have so
overshot the mark as to produce 'compositions' commendable only for the
'utmost taste and learning, and worthy of enduring execution.' Surely
something must be wrong here, either the Report or the selected
list--possibly both.
"In conclusion, I cannot help avowing the opinion that a wrong, though I
believe unintentionally, has been done to many of the 233 who so readily
and 'generously' responded to the call for their ideas; more particularly
as I know, from personal inspection, that at least ONE of the plans
altogether omitted from the Report contains FIVE of the leading features of
the approved design."
But to judge of this matter fairly, it must be mentioned that, although the
number of foreign competitors was small, the majority of them were men
already well known for their talents and professional skill; in all cases
their designs evinced considerable study of the subject (both
architecturally and in a practical point of view), and manifested a desire
to exhibit to English professional men the proficiency of their continental
brethren. On the other hand, many of the designs from the competitors at
home were much slighter suggestions presented in a less elaborate form.
Under these circumstances, it is not to be wondered at that those eminent
men of the technical professions who, on this occasion, came forward with
practical suggestions for the assistance of the Committee, and designs
calculated rather to assist with thoughts than to charm by the graces of
elegant drawing or symmetrical disposition, should seem to have been found
wanting in this first trial with all the world. It should further be borne
in mind, that the nature of competitions is not so well understood in some
foreign countries, where they are of less frequent occurrence, than with
us. It must at the same time be admitted that the practice of disregarding
and exceeding the instructions in competitions is too much a matter of
general complaint in England to be brought forward as a new grievance
against our continental brethren.
After the publication of the above Report, the competition designs were all
exhibited in the rooms of the Institution of Civil Engineers, in Great
George-street, which were liberally placed at the disposal of the Committee
for this purpose; and of those who visited this interesting exhibition,
many, no doubt, must have sympathised with those feelings which dictated
the decision of the Committee. From an attentive examination of these
designs, presenting the subject in such exceedingly varied forms, one of
the peculiar difficulties of the case becomes apparent, namely, the total
absence of any precedent to guide or afford suggestions to the designer;
for the small number of buildings erected or adapted for a similar purpose
have been on so limited a scale that their example could not afford much
assistance in designing a structure to meet all the requirements of the
present case. This building differed from all previous ones in being
intended to accommodate the products of all nations, instead of being
confined to those of one only; in which case the arrangement would have
been more certain and more readily provided for.
Buildings used for previous Exhibitions.
As a comparison of some of these earlier buildings with the first erected
in London for a similar purpose cannot fail to be interesting, a short
notice of them may not be deemed out of place. The most important amongst
them are those temporary structures which have been erected in Paris for
the periodical Industrial Expositions, with reference to the last of which
we cannot do better than quote, from Mr. Digby Wyatt's instructive and
masterly Report, that part where the building is treated of:--
"The vast edifice which has been erected to contain the specimens of
manufacture selected for exhibition in the year 1849 is situated on the
same site as that occupied by a similar building in the year 1844. The
Carré de Marigny, on which it has been placed, is a large oblong piece of
ground, abutting on the main avenue of the Champs Elysées, and as a site
offers every possible advantage, being of a gravelly soil, already
efficiently drained, and standing on the line of a continually moving
series of public conveyances. The Champs Elysées, though at some
considerable distance from the great centre of Parisian population, are
still so universal a place of resort, that they may be fairly assumed to be
"in the way" of even the poorest classes of the community. The elevation
may be admirably seen from all the approaches to the building, and it has
the advantage of being in immediate proximity to the residence of the
President of the Republic.
PLAN OF THE BUILDING FOR THE FRENCH EXPOSITION IN 1849.
[Illustration]